Sun bath device



a I. B. LEWK SUN BATH DEVICE Filed April 7, 1947 July 20, 1948.

Patented July 20, 1948 OFFICE" SUN BATH DEVICE Ida B. Lewk, Tulsa, Okla.

Application April 7, 1947, SerialNo. 739,925

g 2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to foldable and portable sunbath devices, and more particularly to such devices designed to afford an individual the opportunity of exposing the body either directly or indirectly to the ultra-violet rays of the sun.

Ultra-violet rays of the sun are beneficial to the body but in order to derive benefit from the sun rays, it is necessary to expose the body to the ultra-violet rays as various substances do not transmit these rays. The clothing, for instance, will not pass ultra-violet rays, so it is necessary to expose the nude body to the sun. The skin of man persons will not permit the sun to directly contact it for a period of time sufficient to secure the desired results from the ultra-violet rays without burning of the skin.

It is, therefore, the principal objects of the present invention to provide a foldable, portable structure of this character having a light diffusing cover over the body of the user so that the sun will not burn the skin, but at the same time will pass the ultra-violet rays to the body.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a device of this character which may be folded and transported from place to place as desired by the user; and to provide a device of this character simple, economical to manufacture and efficient in operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention showing the device projected ready for use.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device in partly folded position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section taken on a line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device shown in folded position.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a sun bath device embodying the features of my invention comprising a top consisting of sections 2 and 3, each having side rails 4 and 5 and end rails 6 and 1. Supporting leg structures are provided for the top and adapted to be hingedly connected thereto. The legs comprise a framework structure consisting of uprights 8 and 9 and I0 and II, respectively, having cross bars I2 and I3 near their lower ends to provide a rigid structure. Secured to the upper nds of the uprights 8-9 and Ill-ll, respectively, are end rails l4 and I5 which are pivotally connectedlto the end rails 6 of the top sections 2 and 3 by hinges or the like I6 (Fig. 3). Folding braces H are attached to each supporting leg 8----,! and I.0 l and to the inner side edge of theside rails 4 and 5 of the top sections as indicated at 18 (Fig. 1) the brackets being pivoted at substantiall midway of their length as indicatedat l9 (Fig. 3) as is the usual practice to adapt the leg structures to fold as will later be shown. The abutting ends I of the sectionsZ and-3 are pivotally connected together by hinges or the like 20 and 2| and secured to one of the side rails 5 of the sections by a hinge 22 is a leg 23 to support the center of the structure.

The tops of the sections 2 and 3 are covered with a light diffusing material as indicated at 24 and 25. This light diffusing material may be of any composition having the property of transmitting radiations of shorter wave lengths than occur in the visible spectrum, in other words, any material which transmits ultra-violet rays from the sun to the bod of the user of the device. I have found sewed glass or fiber glass to be particularly suitable for my purpose. Other glasses which may be used are commonly known as corex, helio, quartslite, sanalux, sun ray and vita.

The uprights 8 and IU of my leg structures are shorter than the uprights 9 and II to provide a slope to the top sections 2 and 3, thus providing a sloping top to the structure, so that the sun will have a more direct contact with the light diffusing material and to the body of the user of the sun bath. Hooks 26 may be provided in the edge 2! of the end rail 6 of the top section 3 adapted to engage in eyes 28 in the edge 29 of the opposite end rail of the top section 2 to fasten the sections together when they are in folded position. A handle 30 is also provided in the edge 21 of the end rail 6 of the top section 3 for transporting the device from place to place.

Operation of a device constructed and assembled as described is as follows:

When the device is in folded position as shown in Fig. 5 and transported to a desired place of use, the hooks 2'6 may be disengaged from the eyes 28, the sections pulled apart as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the leg portions 8 and 9 set up in vertical position, the inner edges of the sections being pivoted on the hinges 20 and 2! to raised position and the legs 23 dropped to support the center of the structure. Brackets I! are then lengthened to their elongated position to hold the structure in upright rigid position.

In order to fold the device the brackets I! are pivoted to their folded position, the leg 23 folded on the side of the end rail I and the legs pivoted to engage along the underneath side of the ends of the top sections 2 and 3 and the upper plane surfaces of the light diffusing material will be face to face so that there will be no danger of mutilating the material in folding the structure. The hooks 26 may then be engaged in the eyes 28 and the device is ready for transporting to another pla'ce or a place of storage. 7

The framework structure of my device may be made of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic, aluminum or the like. It will be obvious that various changes may be made in my structure without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will further be obvious that I have provided an improved sun bath structure which may be easily and quickly folded for transporting from place to place, and which when folded will require little space in storage.

, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A foldable sun bath device comprising, a top having sections hingedly connected together in end-to-end relation, a light diffusing material covering said top sections, an end leg structure hingedly connected to the outer ends of the top sections whereby said top sections and end legs may be folded to a compact position with the tops of said section in facing relation, one side of said leg structure being shorter than the other side to provide a sloping top to said device, a support for the top sections at substantially their pivoted abutting ends, and means engaging the leg structure and the top sections for holdin said sections and legs in rigid position.

2. A foldable sun bath device comprising, a top having sections hingedly connected together in end-to-end relation, a light diffusing material covering saidtop sections, an end leg structure hingedly connected to the outer ends of the top sections, one side of said leg "structure being shorter than the other side to provide a sloping top to said device, a support for the top sections at substantially their pivoted abutting ends, and foldable brackets engaging the leg structure and the top sections for holding said sections and legs in rigid position, said top sections and end legs being adapted to fold to a compact position with the light difiusing material on the top section in facing relation and the legs lying against the underside of the top sections.

' IDA B. LEWK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,910,463 Cross May 23, 1933 1,990,600 Fridheim Feb. 12, 1935 2,295,402 Hildebrand Sept. 8, 1942 

